Return of the Genius PD

Strategic Planning Director Shin Young-jin. 

Management Planning Director Nam Deok-hyun.

Being in the same planning division, their views need to be coordinated first when any project is initiated within the company.

Shin Young-jin, the strategist type. 

Nam Deok-hyun, the action-centered leader type.

Perhaps due to this difference in personalities?

Usually in such situations… 

Things would often flow according to Director Shin’s wishes. 

Of course, Director Nam believes these ideas come from his own mind.

-The strategist of JTVN who can even control others’ thoughts.

That’s how Department Head Kim saw Director Shin.

Director Nam continued speaking.

“I think it would be more beneficial for the company if Do Ji-won joined our Management Planning Division.”

Department Head Kim quickly assessed the situation.

Strategic Planning Director Shin, quietly observing. Management Planning Director Nam, diligently acting as his avatar in the forefront.

It’s not a good flow.

He hadn’t predicted that the two would set up such a scenario.

He already knew that Director Shin… Had previously tried and failed to recruit Do Ji-won. Perhaps because of this? 

He sensed an unnamed malice from him who was leading this situation. And the identity of that malice that he could guess was…

‘If I can’t have him, would you rather ruin him? Is that it, Director Shin?’

An extremely twisted desire. But even that was possible for the ‘Shin Young-jin’ that Kim Dae-young had observed.

Director Nam continued.

“He’s a talent I covet. I’d like to nurture him myself.”

There’s a point.

Looking at Do Ji-won’s proposals, his excellent intuition and outstanding analytical skills stand out. That means. The argument that he would be effective not only in production but also in management planning…

‘I hate to admit it, but it’s sound reasoning!’

Perhaps it’s exactly as stated. It might create greater benefits to deploy him in overall management rather than have him focus on a single drama.

However, 

Probably…

If Do Ji-won goes to the Management Planning Division, he’s likely to be ‘neglected’. Director Nam won’t give Do Ji-won a chance to shine.

Far from nurturing, he’d clip his wings.

He’d tie his hands and feet, assign him to unimportant tasks, and drown him in a sea of numbers.

And then he’d never look at him again. It’s a valuable card, but better than letting the opponent hold it.

Department Head Kim’s brow furrowed increasingly. He was at a loss for a logical counterargument. Moreover, the thought that it might actually be true… was slowly creeping into Department Head Kim’s mind as well.

‘You really got me good, Shin Young-jin.’

Department Head Kim sighed softly and cleared his mind.

However.

Ko Dong-guk was different.

“…This guy needs to make dramas.”

Director Ko’s low voice resonated in the conference room. Director Nam, doubting his ears, asked back.

“Pardon? What did you say?”

“It’s his destiny to make dramas. Do Ji-won’s capabilities are best displayed when making dramas. I, who have observed him up close, can guarantee that.”

Director Nam replied, bewildered.

“He’ll do just fine in the Management Planning team too.”

“He joined the company to make dramas. He’s a kid who suffered greatly when he was almost transferred to a different team once.”

Director Ko’s expression darkened as he spoke. As the situation unfolded this way, a sense of complexity washed over him as well.

A director only has one body.

Therefore, it’s impossible to personally look after dozens of Drama Department employees. Nevertheless, the fact that he is the overall manager of the Drama Department remains unchanged.

Hadn’t he already confirmed Ji-won’s passion and talent for dramas while working on ?

That’s why he felt guilty for not being able to prevent the transfer order from the Strategic Planning team as the director. 

Knowing that if Do Ji-won hadn’t found a way himself, he would have been helplessly dragged away.

“He’s an asset who was almost transferred to the Strategic Planning team originally. There was no one to help Do Ji-won stay in the production team. He managed it alone and eventually made the drama a success.”

Director Ko added with a sense of complexity.

“I feel ashamed as a director.”

He calmly continued.

“If we make the wrong judgment here again and send this talent to another team, crushing his dream… I don’t think I could hold my head high while working at this company.”

Director Nam’s eyes widened.

“What? Director Ko! That’s too much! Are you saying we’re ruining an employee’s future?”

He then pointed at Director Ko.

“If it benefits the company, shouldn’t an employee rightfully follow the decision!”

“Even though a company is an organization that pursues profit!”

Director Ko’s shout echoed in the conference room. Perhaps because Ko was always so smooth? His shout seemed to particularly pierce the ears.

“It’s the employees who trust us and follow us diligently day by day that create that profit.”

Several emotions were tangled on his face as he spoke.

“Isn’t it also our duty as executives to look after their hearts?”

Director Ko looked at the faces of the executives seated in the conference room as he spoke.

“He’s a young man with a bright future. As seniors who have worked at the company far longer than as executives, let’s not crush a junior’s passion. We’re old folks who’ll be leaving soon, and aren’t they the future of the company?”

With those final words, the room fell into a solemn silence. The regret in Director Ko’s words was palpable.

That’s when it happened.

President Jeon Nam-hoe broke the silence and interjected.

“What does Director Shin Young-jin think?”

An unexpected summoning of Director Shin. It was a call-out that couldn’t be made without knowing the full story. Director Shin opened his mouth.

“In my opinion too.”

His expression was notably calm.

“I think Do Ji-won would fit best in the production team than any other team.”

Department Head Kim was momentarily dazed before immediately looking at Director Nam. But Director Nam’s expression was also calm. As if he knew this would happen.

If so,

It leads to the conclusion that there was a different purpose.

‘…Was he testing?’

When Do Ji-won was brought up.

How he and Director Ko would react, how far they would go for Do Ji-won. And that intention… Would include President Jeon as well.

‘…No way!’

Perhaps he…

The thought occurred that he might not have given up on Do Ji-won yet.

“That kid, Do Ji-won.”

President Jeon spoke again. Then he scanned the executives with his eyes.

“He’s stolen quite a few hearts among those present here?”

Then he summarized the situation.

“It means he’s charming as a person. With such ability, the field seems more suitable than being buried in numbers.”

Director Nam cautiously brought up the topic.

“But President…”

“I won’t accept any objections.”

Director Nam’s mouth closed tight. He knew from experience that President Jeon wasn’t the type to change his mind. President Jeon spoke again.

“And Director Ko?”

“Yes?”

He said with a smile.

“Leaving soon, you say. From what I just saw, your heart is still in its prime youth.”

Then he added jokingly.

“I don’t know about others, but Director Ko could work for another 10 years. Retirement is out of the question.”

“Oh my, it’s just a saying. If you let me, I plan to work until I mess up.”

As if nothing had happened, Director Ko returned to his usual glib self. With a smile, President Jeon concisely summarized.

“We’ll integrate PD Do Ji-won into Production Team 4.”

The last player for the newly established Production Team 4.

Do Ji-won’s future was decided after many twists and turns.

* * *

Late at night. 

There was a man climbing alone up a dark neighborhood walking trail.

-Tap tap tap.

He climbed the stairs quickly, agile like an athlete. The running, accompanied by heavy breathing, only stopped when he reached the mountain peak.

“Huff, huff.”

After catching his breath for a while, Ji-won straightened up and looked at the night view spread out below the mountain.

‘Tireless stamina is number one.’

Although Ji-won had returned to a time overflowing with youth, he knew, 

Year by year, as aging approaches, how loose a neglected body becomes. 

How much such a deteriorated body eats away at one’s mental strength.

When physical strength hits rock bottom, mental strength tears like paper.

To always make the right decisions with a clear mind, one needs to maintain a well-oiled and finely tuned body condition. 

Ji-won only sat on the bench after finishing his cool-down stretches. Then he enjoyed the night view for a moment.

“……”

Suddenly, the conversation he had with President Jeon came to mind.

-”In my eyes, I see a monster coiled inside PD Do.”

-”A monster called ambition.”

He felt exposed. 

Because he thought it was true. 

This fact left Ji-won with a question.

Ji-won closed his eyes. 

Then he recalled the last moment of his past life.

When the blinding headlights crashed into Ji-won’s taxi. 

In an instant. 

There were faces flashing by like a kaleidoscope.

His father who passed away alone and lonely. 

Classmates now too far away. 

Park Hyung-seok, mixed with jealousy and pity. 

And countless other connections he had missed.

Their faces came to mind.

Although Ji-won was more successful than anyone. 

What came to mind in his last moment were the connections he had lost.

Looking back, it was a lonely life.

In his past life, Ji-won was nothing short of a runaway train. Because he had to prove that his choice to pursue ‘success’ wasn’t wrong. 

Running like that for twenty years, looking only ahead. At the end of that road, when he looked back, what was left?

Emptiness.

That emptiness posed a question to Ji-won’s life in this lifetime.

-Is it enough to just make good dramas and succeed?

At the end, will I be deeply satisfied? To say this life was excellent?

No.

That would be no different from his past life. Perhaps he might regret it again after reaching the highest position. Now Ji-won could understand.

It doesn’t work alone.

Precious people, you have to live life rubbing shoulders with those people. Succeeding alone will only lead to emptiness again.

With precious people, He decided to succeed together.

At this moment, Ji-won had drawn a concrete form of life in his heart.

After pondering for a while, Ji-won looked at his watch. 

It pointed to ten o’clock at night. Suddenly remembering a place he wanted to visit, Ji-won went back down the mountain.

* * *

In the darkened office, there was one spot glowing alone in the corner. 

At the desk, Kim Jong-su was intensely typing on the keyboard. 

Humming flowed from his mouth, matching the song playing in his headphones.

“You- Don’t come- closer to me- Hm-hmhm-.”

On the screen, a blog post was open, being written.

『 Title: Macaron Blogger ‘Passion’s’ April Macaron Story. 』

Helloooo~~ Sorry to our dear subscribers who’ve been waiting so long…. I’ve been busy with work lately, so updates have been slow( ˘•̥ _•̥ ˘ ) What even is life…. When I can’t go on macaron tours because of work, I wonder if this is why I’m working… The reality hit is no joke (haha) Enough rambling! Even this Passion finally visited the new macaron cafe ‘Brûlée’ that I’ve often seen online! 🙂 Now I’ll start with that vivid review!

After finishing writing, Kim Jong-su posted the article…

Ding-.

Soon after, a comment notification rang.

Seo-ini: Passion-nim ㅜㅜ I’ve been waiting… The fact that I missed Passion-nim’s uniquely delicate macaron exploration… I’ll leave a quick first comment and then savor it!

Grin-.

A chilly smile formed on Kim Jong-su’s face illuminated by the monitor light. Kim Jong-su replied to the comment.

└Seo-ini… Always grateful(;_;)… You should definitely go there once. Looking at it while writing, I want to eat them again!!!!

After commenting, Kim Jong-su looked to the side. A box of colorful macarons sat there. 

Deeply contemplating what to eat-, he eventually picked up a yellow macaron. 

In the middle of the macaron, eyes, nose, and mouth of a chick were drawn with cream.

‘Cu… Cute!’

Then he took a bite. A smile that welled up from deep within spread across Kim Jong-su’s face.

5 years as an assistant director, 14 years after debut. 19 years of a drama-only life.

One of Kim Jong-su’s few pleasures was ‘macaron tours’.

-Smooth and crisp shell with a chewy texture.

-Endless visual pleasure unfolding within a small, adorable size.

Without a doubt, ‘macarons’ could be called a comprehensive art piece pleasing to both eyes and mouth. Although due to their terrifying calorie count, he had to spend all day on the treadmill on days he ate them…

But what of it.

If this moment is this happy. Just like now.

Wanting to leave a record of that emotion, he started a blog which now had fans. Kim Jong-su was grateful to be able to share his joy with people.

‘Now that I’ve finished safely… Should I head home?’

The mouse cursor moved towards shutdown. As the monitor reflected a black screen, a figure standing behind Kim Jong-su appeared.

“Aaaagh!”

Kim Jong-su, who had hurriedly turned around, identified the figure. It was Do Ji-won.

“You…! You, you what! How long have you been there!”

“Since the April macaron part. I called out but you didn’t answer…”

Kim Jong-su, who had jumped up from his seat, grabbed Ji-won’s collar.

“If this fact gets out……”

He glared at Ji-won with a terrifying face.

“I’ll kill you. You’ll 100% be murdered by me. I promise on my 14-year career.”

Ji-won replied with a slight smile.

“Don’t worry, senior. Doesn’t everyone have at least one secret hobby? I’ll guard your secret with my life.”

Confirming the sincerity in Ji-won’s eyes, Kim Jong-su released his grip. Then, perhaps feeling a bit sorry, he added a word.

“Hmm… Why is a man so light? Are you eating well? You need to put on some weight.”

“Maybe it’s because I don’t eat macarons.”

As Kim Jong-su’s face turned terrifying again, Ji-won brought out the running skills he had honed all this time.